Door latch



Feb. 2, 1960 Filed May 8, 1956 A. F. BAKER 2,923,568

DOOR LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 2, 1960 A. F. BAKER $923,568

DOOR LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1956 k I Q BY United StatesPatetit o r nooR LATCH Albert F. Baker, Jackson, Mich., assignor to Hancock Industries, Inc., a corporation of Michigan Application May 8, 1956, Serial No. 583,507

7 Claims. (Cl. 292-280) This invention relates to door latches, and more particularly to latching mechanisms for use in automotive vehicles wherein the mechanism when in its locked posit tion permits unrestrained movement of the outside handle.

It is an object of the present-invention to provide an improved latching mechanism of this nature which is especially adapted for use with door locks having rotary multi-toothed bolts and in which outsidehandle locking is achieved either from the inside or by key actuation from the outside.

It is another object to provide an improved free handle door latch of the above nature in which the outside roll back is entirely and positively disconnected from any portion of the delatching mechanism when the unit is in its locked condition, thus minimizing the possibility of sticking of the parts and affording friction-free movement of the'locked handle.

It is a further object to provide an improved free handle 3 latching mechanism of this character which is adaptable for either doors in which kick-off action for the outside lock is provided, or doors in which both inside and outside handles are locked and no kick-off is desired. In association with this object, the invention contemplates the provision of a latching mechanism including kick-off means but in which no damage to the parts can occur due to inadvertent slamming of the door while the locked outside handle is depressed.

It is also an object to provide an improved automotive latching mechanism of this nature which is of simple and economical construction and utilizes standard parts of conventional door latches now in prevalent use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. t

In the drawings: n Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the improved latching mechanism from the inside, parts being broken away for clarity, showing the base of the mounting plate and associated parts, the coupling member being in its elfective position; I

Figure 2 is a side elevation-alview of the mechanism of Figure 1 taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing the mounting plateflange and parts mounted thereon;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the latching mechanism of Figure 1 showing the coupling member in its ineffective position;

. Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of the invention suitable for rear doors of vehicles; and

a Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the latch in Figure 4 taken along the line 5-5 of that figure and showing the locking member for the inside and outside rollbacks. I As illustrated, the invention generally comprises a mounting. plate having angularly related base and flange portions, upon which is mounted a multi-toothed bolt rotatable on an axis extending transversely to the base,

2,923,568 Fatented Feb. 2, 1960 into their unlatching position in response to actuation of either the inside or outside door handles. The inside rollback comprises a lever pivoted on the flange of the mounting plate and engageable with one of the detents, termed the lifting cam, for delatching operation. The outside rollback comprises a lever pivoted on the base and'movable by the outside handle, this lever having a portion swingable toward the flange of the mounting plate. The lifting cam is provided with an upwardly extending arm, and a coupling member is slidably and pivotally mounted on the base and is engageable with this arm.

I The coupling member is swingable between an effective: position in which it is engageable by said portion of the outsiderollback, and an inefiective position in which the: outside rollback swings clear of the coupling member.. When in its eflectiveposition, swinging of the outside rollback willtherefore slide the link toward the flange: and into operative engagement with the lifting cam arm, causing the detents to be moved to their unlatching position. Swinging of the coupling member to its ineffective position however, will result in locking of the mechanism as far as the outside handle is concerned, since'the operative connection between the outside rollback and coupling member will be broken.

- The means for moving the coupling member between its effective and ineifective positions comprises, in the case of the front door version of the mechanism, a flangemounted locking slide movable by a key station and by a button mounted on the garnish moulding of the window, Kick-off means are provided in the form of a one-way connection between the slide and the lifting cam, where by slamming of the door or unlatching by means of the inside handle will result in movement of the coupling member to its effective position. Means are also provided for preventing jamming of the lock should thekick-ofi be operated while the outside handle is depressed, this feature being so arranged that release of the outside handle will restore the mechanism to its normal condition. In the modified-version of the latching mechanism shown in Figures 4 and 5, thelocking function is performed by a member pivoted on the flange of the mounting plate, this member being movable by a garnish moulding button to lock both the inside and outside handles.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the latching mechanism comprises a. mounting plate generally indicated at 11 having a base 12 and a flange 13 at right angles, base 12 being adapted for positioning at the outer jamb edge of the door. A deck or cover plate 14 is secured by tabs 15 to base 12, being in spaced parallel relation therewith. An outboard member 16 is secured to base 12 and extends outwardly therefrom, as best seen in Figure 2. Member 16 serves to support a stud 17 extending between this member and deck plate 14. A rotary multi-toothecl bolt 18 is mounted on stud 17, this bolt having a plurality of teeth adapted for engagement with a keeper (not shown) mounted on the stationary door frame. In particular, the keeper is receivable in an opening indicated at 19 in Figure 2 between bolt 18 and an abutment surface 20 on theuppen gageable by detent means geanerally indicated at 22. This detent means is of a conventional type employing a plurality of cams pivoted on a stud 23 secured to base ,1 2,. of.the mounting plate. The cams are urged by a plurality of springs 24' in a latching direction, that is, into engagement with te etlr 21 on. bolt 18. The cams are of progressively increasingisize. so that a camming-action on boltlswill be provided. V One of the cams included in detent means 22 comprises a soacalled lifting cam 25, this came beingengageable with the others when rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure L Whereby unlatching movement of the lifting cam will serve to unlatch bolt 18. Means are provided for operating lifting cam 25 by means, of inside and outside door operators. {Referring first to the inside .door operation, this utilizes an inside rollback26 pivoted at 27 to flange 13of the mounting plate as seen in Figure 2. .Lever 26 has one arm connectable to a link 28 shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 2, this link beingoperable by the inside handle (not shown) of the vehicle door. In particular, rollback 26 is movable from a neutral position shown in Figure 2 either clockwise to a locking'position or counterclockwise to an unlatching position. An arm. 29 is provided on lifting cam 25 and extends toward flange 13,being engageable by an arm 30.0f lever 26 when the latter is rotated counterclockwise as shown-in Figure 2. Such movement will rotate lifting cam 25 as well as the other cams comprising detent means 22 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 1, resulting in unlatching of bolt 18.

The means for unlatching the boltfrom the outside of the-door comprises an outside rollback 31 pivoted at 32 to the outer edge of base 12 and urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 33 mounted on the base. Rollback 31 comprises a lever having an arm 34 connectable to a link 35 shown in'dot-dash lines in Figure 1, this link extending toward the outside handle (not shown). Lever 31 also has an upstanding arm 36' with a transverse portion 37, this portion being movable in the general direction of flange 13 of the mounting-plate when roll-back 31 is swung clockwise in Figure l by upward movement of link 35. A coupling member '38 is provided for transmitting the motion of outside rollback 31 to lifting cam 25. This coupling member is of generally elongated shape and has a central slot 39 through which a pin 41 extends. Pin '41 is secured between base 12 and deck plate 14 so that coupling member 38 is supported by the mounting plate for combined swinging and sliding movement.

Coupling member 38 is provided with a projection 42 engageable by portion 37 of rollback 3-1 when the latter is rotated clockwise in Figure 1, and is also provided with a transverse shoulder 43 engageable with an upwardly extending arm 44 on lifting cam 25. The coupling member is movable between an effective position shown in Figure l and an ineffective position shown in Figure 3. When in its efiective position,, projection 42 is aligned with rollback portion 37 and shoulder 43 is aligned with the outer end of arm '44. Clockwise move ment of rollback 31 will thus result in rightward sliding movement of coupling member 38 and clockwise unlatching movement of the lifting cam and its associated detent members.

When coupling member 38 is swung counterclockwise to the position shown in Figure 3, projection 42 thereof will be moved downwardly out of alignment with portion 37 on .outer rollback '31. The lower portion of coupling member shoulder 43 will, on the other hand, still be aligned with the outer end of lifting cam arm 44, the purpose ofthis connection being described below. With projection .42 and roll back portion 37 out of alignment, it will be seen that clockwise swinging of the rollback will be ineffective to slide coupling member 38 to the right and thus will not cause any movement of lifting The means for moving coupling member 38 between its effective and ineffective positions comprises a locking slide 45 slidably mounted on flange 13, the slide being retained and guided by a tab 46 struck out from base 12- and by one of the tabs 15 which forms part of deck plate 14. A slot 47 is provided in the lower end of slide 45 for accommodating :ta'b'15. Slide 45 is adapted to be held by an overcenter spirng 48 in either of two positions, a lower or unlocking position shown in Figure 2, and an upper or lQ king position shown in Figure 3.

Slide 45 is engageable with an extension 49 on coupling member 38, this extension terminating in the vicinity of flange "13. In particular, slide 45 is'prov'ided with a shoulder 51 engageable with the underside 52 of extension 49, so that when slide 45 is raised to its locking position, coupling member 38 will be swung counterclockwise as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The result of this upward movement of slide :45 will thus be to disconnect coupling member 38 from outside rollback 31 in the manner aforesaid. However, it will be noted that there isno corre- ,sponding shoulder on slide 45 for engagement with. the upper surface of extension 49. Instead, a coil spring 53 is mounted on pin 41 and has one end 54engageable with the upper surface of extension 49, the other end '55 of thespring being connected to a stationary portion. of the mounting plate. When side 45 is moved downwardly, therefore, spring 53 will urge couplingmember 38 in a clockwise direction.

In the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the means for moving slide 45 between its positions comprises the inside roll-back 26 and a key station (not shown) operable'from the outside of the door. Operation through the inside roll back is reflected by a transverse ofiset shoulder "56 in an intermediate portion of slide 45 immediatelyabove arm 30 of inside rollback 26, as seen in Figure 2. With this arrangement, clockwise movement of rollback 26 as shown in Figure 2 will cause engagement of arm 30 with shoulder 56, moving slide 45 upwardly into its locking position. The key station is connectable to the upper end of slide 45 by a link shown in dotdash lines at 57 in Figure 2. The key station could be of a conventional type capable of moving slide 45 to either its upper or lower position.

Kick-off means are also provided for moving locking slide 45 to its unlocking position when the door is slammed or is opened by means of inside rollback 26. This kick-off means comprises a shoulder 58 on slide45 immediately below arm 29 on lifting cam 25. Downward movement of arm 29, due to either slamming of the door or movement by the inside rollback, will thus result in movement of locking slide 45 to its unlocking position.

In operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, assume an initial condition in which the latching mechanism is in its unlocked condition and it is desired to open the door from the outside and lock it from the-inside after getting in the car. The parts will initially be in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. Movement of the outside handle will result in clockwise swinging of the outside rollback 31, with portion 37 thereof engaging projection 42 of coupling member 38. The coupling member will slide to the right with shoulder 43 thereof engaging arm 44 of lifting cam 25. A clearance aperture 59 may be provided in flange 13 of the mountingplate for extension 49 of coupling 38 as the latter ismo'ved rightwardly. Clockwise movement of lifting cam 25'wi1l result in unlatching movement of the other'cams comprising detent means 22. Bolt 18 will therefore be free to rotate in an unlatching direction as the door is opened. After opening the door, release of the outside handle will result in the parts being restored to their initial condition under the influence of springs 24 and 33.

After getting into the car and slamming the door the operator will cause inside rollback 26 to move. clockwise the inside rollback will engage shoulder-56 on lock-ing;v

guesses slide 45, moving the slide upwardly. Shoulder 51 on the 3 locking slide will engage the underside 52 of coupling member extension 49, "swinging the coupling .m'ember counterclockwise about pin 41. This movement will cause projection 42 of coupling member 38 to drop below the level of portion 37 on outside rollback 31. During this movement, shoulder 43 of the coupling member will slide partially past arm 44 of lifting cam 25, but in its final position the lower portion of shoulder 43 will still be engageable with this arm. It should be noted that this movement of coupling member 38 is of a positive nature, in that the engagement of arm 44 with shoulder 43 will prevent any rightward sliding movement of the coupling member. Member 38 Will thus undergo purely pivotal movement so that in its final position the disengagement of projection 42 and shoulder 37 will be complete. The parts will be held in their final position by overcenter spring 48.

In the locked position shown in Figure 3, outside rollback 31 will have unrestrained movement by means of the outside handle, but will be ineffective to unlatch the bolt because of the separation of tab 37 and projection 42. Upon movement of outside rollback 31 all the other parts of the mechanism will remain stationary and will not be affected by operation of the outside handle.

Assuming now that it is desired to get out of the car and lock it from the outside, the operator will swing inside rollback 26 counterclockwise in Figure 2 by means of the inside handle. Arm 30 of the inside rollback will engage arm 29 on lifting cam 25, swinging the cams comprising detent means 22 clockwise in Figures 1 and 3. This will result in unlatching of bolt 18 so that the door may be opened. At the same time, arm 29 will engage shoulder 58 of slide 45, moving the slide downwardly to the position shown in Figure 2. Shoulder 51 of the slide will be withdrawn downwardly from extension 49 of coupling member 38. This will permit spring 53 to swing the coupling member clockwise about pin 41, assuming that outside rollback 31 is in its extreme counterclockwise position as urged by spring 33 so that shoulder 37 is clear of projection 42. As a result, projection 42 willbe repositioned in alignment with shoulder 37 so that the coupling member is again in its effective position. After the operator has stepped out of the car and closed the door, he may lift locking slide 45 into its locking position by key station operation through link 57. The parts will thus be again disposed in the position shown in Figure 3 with coupling member 38 disconnected from outside rollback 31.

The novel latching mechanism includes means for preventing damage to the parts should shoulder 37 of the outside rollback be in obstructing position with respect to projection 42 of coupling member 38, when kick-off action takes place. This situation could arise through the following circumstances: With the door open, the operator could move locking slide 45 to its locking position by means of either the inside handle or the key station. Coupling member 38 would thus be in the position shown in Figure 3, with projection 42 clear of shoulder 37. It would be possible for the operator, with the door still in open position, to swing outside rollback 31 clockwise by means of the outside handle and hold it in that position while he slammed the door. Shoulder 37 would then be above the main portion of projection 42, as shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 3, so that upward movement of this projection would be prevented.

With the latching mechanism of the present invention damage to the parts is prevented in the following manher: When the door is slammed, locking slide 45 will be moved downwardly by engagement of arm 29 with shoulder 58. as previously described. This will cause withdrawal of shoulder 51 from the underside 52 of coupling member extension 49. However, there will be no portion of, slide 45 above extension 49 which could positively force the extension downwardly. Instead, upon 8. release of the outside handle by the operator, spring 33 'will cause counterclockwise movement of outside rollback 3l,.with shoulder 37 sliding along the smooth upper edge 61 of projection 42 until it passes the projection. Spring 53 will then operate to swing coupling member 38 clockwise into its effective position. It will be noted that this operation of the parts will not detract in any way from the full performance by the latching mechanism of all its functions, and affords a foolproof'construction which will maintain its efficiency under all circumstances. In this connection, it should be noted that the constant engagement of shoulder 43 of the coupling member with lifting cam arm 44 will prevent any inadvertent rightward movement of the coupling member which might occur because of slight horizontal force components exerted by spring arm 54 on extension 49. It will be understood that spring 33 could be replaced by resilient means located at other points in the connection to the outside door handle.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the embodiment of Figures 1-3 but is especially adapted for locations such as rear vehicle doors, wherein locking of both inside and outside rollbacks is desired. The latching mechanism comprises a mounting plate generally indicated at 62, having a base 63 and a flange 64. A bolt 65 and detent means generally indicated at 66 are mounted on base 63, together with a coupling member 67 and an outside rollback 68 similar to the previous embodiment. As seen best in Figure 5, an inside rollback 69 is pivoted at 71 to flange 64 of the mounting plate. This inside rollback has, in addition to an arm 72 engageable with the lifting cam, alocking shoulder 73 radially disposed with respect to pivot 71. A locking lever 74 is pivoted at 75 to flange 64 above inside rollback 69. Locking lever 74 is provided with a forked arm 76 extending toward base 63 and engageable with an extension 77 on coupling member 67. Looking lever 74 is further provided with a shoulder 78 extending transversely therefrom adjacent radial shoulder 73 on inside rollback 69.

In operation, locking lever '74 is swingable between an unlocking position shown in solid lines in Figure 5 and a locking position shown in dot-dash lines. When in its unlocking position, forked arm 76 of the locking lever will cause coupling member 67 to be in its eifective position shown in Figure 4, wherein outside rollback 68 is effectively coupled to detent means 66. Shoulder 78 of locking lever 74 will be clear of shoulder 73 on inside rollback 69 when the locking lever is in its unlocking position, so. that unlatching movement of the inside rollback will be permitted.

When locking lever 74 is swung clockwise to its looking position, forked arm 76 will lift extension 77 of coupling member 67, causing projection 79 thereof to drop below shoulder 81 of outside rollback 68, as in the previous embodiment. The outside rollback will thus be ineffective to unlatch bolt 65. At the same time, shoulder 78 of the loclo'ng lever will be disposed in obstructing relation with Shoulder 73 of inside rollback 69 so that unlatching movement of the inside rollback is prevented. A garnish molding button (not shown) connected to locking lever 74 by a link 82 shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 5 may be used to position the locking lever in its locking and unlocking positions, and a stop 83 on flange 64 may be provided for limiting the movement of the locking lever in either direction. An overcenter spring 84 is connected between locking lever 74 and flange 64 of the mounting plate to hold the locking lever in either its locking or unlocking position.

It should be noted that since there is no provision for kick-off action in the lock shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fact that a two-way connection is provided between locking lever 74 and coupling member 67 will not give rise to possible damage to the locked parts. Should the door be slammed while coupling member 67 is in its inelfeetive '2" position and outside rollback 63 is held in its clockwise position, the parts 'will not be aifeeted any differently than if the door would be slammed with the outside haiidle released. I

While it 'will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is: p ,1. In a latching mechanism for a closure member, a mounting plate having a base and flange in angular 'relation, a rotatable bolt supported on an axis transverse to said base, detent means pivoted on said base and movable between a latching position and an unl-atching position with respect to said bolt, said detent means including a first arm extending toward said flange and a' second arm extending upwardly, an inside rollback mounted on said flange and movable into engagement with said first arm to swing said detent means into its unlatching position, an outside rollback comprising a lever pivoted on said base, said outside rollback' 'being movable between anormal position'and an unla'tching position, a portion on said outside rollback movable toward said flange when said outsiderollback is moved toward its unlatching position, a coupling member mounted on said base and movable between an effective position and an ineffective position, the coupling member when in its effective position being engageable by said portion of the outside rollback when the latter is 'moved toward its unlatching position, whereby said coupling member will be movedltoward saidflange, saidjco'upling member when in its ineffective position being clear of said portion of the outside rollback whereby 'm'ovement of the latter toward its unlatching position will not cause movement of said coupling member, a shoulder on said coupling member engageable with said second detent arm means, whereby movement of said coupling member toward said flange will cause unlatching movement of said detent means, and means for moving said coupling member between its effective and ineffective positions, said means comprising a locking member mounted on said mounting plate and movable between locking and unlocking positions,'a portion on said locking member engageable with said coupling member when the locking member is moved to locking positIOII tO move the coupling member to its ineffective position, and resilient means urging said coupling member to its etfective position.

2. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate having a base and flange in angular relation, a bolt carried by said base and rotatable on an axis transverse thereto, detent means mounted on said base and movable between a latching position and an unlatching position with respect to said bolt, a first rollback carried by said mounting plate and movable into engagement with said detent means to move the latter to its unlatching positron, a second rollback pivoted on said base and movable frorn a normal position to an unlatching position, a coupling member, a pin-and-slot connection between said coupling member and said bas'e whereby said coupling'member is supported for pivotal and sliding movement, means for swinging said coupling member from an effective to an ineifective position, said coupling memher being engageable with a portion of said detent :means when in its effective and ineflective positions, the coupling member being engageable by said second rollback when in: its effective position whereby movement of said second rollback toward its unlatching position will cause unlatching movement of said detnt means, movement of said coupling'member to its ineffective position causing the coupling member to be out of alignment with said; second rollback whereby movement of said second rollbackto its unlat'cliirig position"'will be insincere to cause linlatching movement of'said detent means, and i'esilientmeans urging said coupling member to its effective position.

"3. In a latching mechanism for vehicle doors, a mounting plate having a base and flange in angular relation, a bolt rotatably supported by said mounting plate on an axis transverse to said base, detent means pivotally mounted on said base and movable between a latching position in engagement with said bolt and an unlatchi'ng position" away from saidbolt, an inside rollback pivoted on said flange, a portion on said detent means engageable by said inside rollback whereby said detent means may be moved to its unlatching position, a coupling member slidably and pivotally mounted on said base, said coupling member being engageable with a second portion of said detent-means whereby sliding movement or. said coupling member in one direction will cause une latching movement of said detent means, an outside rollback pivoted on said base said coupling member being swingable between an eifective position in which said outside rollback is engageable therewith 'to move the coupling member in said one direction and an in= effective position in which said coupling member is out of the path of said outside rollback, an extension on said coupling member, a locking member mounted on said flange and engageable with said extension, tovmo've' said, coupling member from its eifective position to its in-- eifective position, and resilient means urging said locking member towards its eifective position. v

4. tln a latching mechanism for automotive vehicles, amounting platehaving a base and a flange in angular relation, 'a bolt rotatably mounted on said base, a detent pivoted on said base and movable between a latching position and an unlatching position with respect to said bolt, a portion of said detent extending toward said flange, an inside rollback pivoted on said flange and engageable with said detent portion to move 'thedetent into unlatching position, an outside rollback pivoted on said base and having a portion movable from a normal position toward said flange, a coupling member having a pin-and-slot connection with said base and swingable between an effective and an ineffective position, an upwardly extending arm on said, detent, a shoulder on said coupling member engageable with said arm when the coupling member is in either of its positions, a projection on said coupling member engageable by said outside rollback portion when said coupling member is in its eifective position, whereby movement of said outside rollback portion toward said flange will cause said detent'to move to its unlatching position, said-coupling memberprojection being below the path of movement of said outside rollback portion when said coupling member is in its ineffective position, whereby movement of said outside rollback portion toward said flange will be ineifective to move said detent, a locking slide on said flange movable between an upper locking position and a lower unlocking position, an extension on said coupling iember, a shoulder on said locking slide engageable with the underside of said extension whereby movement of said locking slide to its locking position will cause movement of said coupling member to its ineffective position, a second shoulder on said locking slide engageable bysaid detent portion when the detent is moved to its unlatching position whereby said locking slide will be moved to its unlocking position, a spring urging said coupling member to its effective position when said,lock-' ing slide'is in its unlocking position, and means urging said outside rollback portion toward its normal position, said coupling member having a smooth upper edge whereby said outside rollback portion may be returned to its normal position after said locking slide has been moved to its unlocking position. 7 5. Ina latching mechanism for automotive vehicles, ;a mounting plate having a base and a flange in angular relation, a 501i rbni'ztbty mounted on said base, detent means pivoted on said base and movable between a latching position and an unlatching position with respect to said bolt, an inside rollback mounted on said flange and movable into engagement with a first portion of said detent means to swing the latter into its unlatching position, an outside rollback pivoted on said base and having a portion movable toward said flange, a

coupling member pivotally and slidably mounted on said base, said coupling member being slidable toward and away from said flange, ashoulder on said coupling member engageable with a second portion of said detent means when the coupling member slides toward said flange, said coupling member being swingable between an efiective position in which the coupling member is engageable by said outside rollback portion and an ineffective position in which it is not engageable thereby, a locking slide mounted on said flange, an extension on said coupling member, a shoulder on said locking slide engageable with one side of said extension whereby movement of said locking slide in one direction will cause said coupling member to swing into its ineifective position, and a spring urging said coupling member to its efiective position when said locking slide is in its unlocking position.

6. The combination according to claim 5, further pro vided with means urging said outside rollback portion away from said flange.

7. In a latching mechanism for a closure member, a mounting plate having a base and flange in angular relation, a rotatable bolt supported on an axis transverse to said base, detent means pivoted on said base and movable from a latching and unlatching position with respect to said bolt, an inside rollback mounted on said flange and movable into engagement with said detent means to swing the detent means into its unlatching position, an outside rollback comprising a lever on said mounting plate, said outside rollback being movable between a normal and an unlatching position, a coupling member extending between said outside rollback and said detent means and movable between an eflective position and an ineffective position, the coupling member when in its effective position being capable of transmitting movement from said outside rollback to said detent means to move the detent means to unlatching position, the coupling member when in its; ineffective position being incapable of transmitting said rollback movement .to the detent means, a locking member on said mounting plate and movable between locking and unlocking positions, a portion on Said locking member engageable with said coupling member when the locking member is moved to its locking position to move said coupling member to its ineflective position, and

spring means eflective when said locking member is in Roethel Feb. 24,1953 Dall Apr. 28,. 1953 

